Match report: Ruthless AFC Totton score six against bottom side Marlow FC to pick up 6-1 Southern League Premier Division triumph

AFC Totton ran out comfortable winners, scoring the most goals in a single game for over a year in a 6-1 victory at home to bottom-of-the-table Marlow on Saturday.

Tony Lee opened the scoring for the Stags before Joe Oastler scored an own goal to level the match. However, braces for Scott Rendell and Ethan Taylor and another from Ben Seymour secure the win for the ruthless hosts.

With captain Mike Carter starting for the first time in 18 months after injury, AFC Totton looked assured during the early stages and took the lead on 35 minutes. Lee slid the ball home from the edge of the six-yard box from Charlie Kennedy’s cross.

Marlow equalised within a few minutes, though. Mekhai Bassasa-Grant’s cross-shot squirmed under keeper Ryan Gosney and rolled towards the line, and although an off-balance Oastler tried to intervene, all he could do was stab the ball into his own net.

The hosts quickly dashed any thoughts of a capitulation, grabbing two more goals by half-time to wrestle back control. Rendell headed home from close range after a short corner routine orchestrated by Adam Tomasso. Then, Taylor made it 3-1 when Charlie Austin and Lee combined to create an opening for him to fire between two defenders and under shot-stopper Harrison Rhone.

Taylor grabbed his second goal with 59 minutes played. The ball fell to him as Rhone punched Tomasso’s corner away from Rendell’s head, only for the winger to volley home.

A quality finish from Rendell added to Marlow’s misery, converting from the left of the penalty spot after Luke Bennett and Seymour carved out a chance from the right wing.

Torquay United loanee Seymour completed the half-dozen for AFC Totton, running onto Kennedy’s through-ball to finish calmly.

AFC Totton plays away from home in their next match when they take on seventh-placed Taunton Town on Saturday afternoon.

AFC Totton: R. Gosney, J. Oastler, M. Carter, C. Kennedy, S. Magri, A. Tomasso, S. Rendell, E. Taylor, C. Austin, T. Lee, R. McIntyre. Subs: B. Jefford, B. Seymour, L. Hallett, R. Collins, L. Bennett.